The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-11-26
A VALUABLE MAN.

One afternoon a number of the most prominent citizens of Hensley's Cove were sitting in front of Al Piper's sa- loon, W hen there suddenly appeared man, who, single glance was sutfi- cient to discover, did not live in that part of the country. He was very smooth and not wholly an unpleas- ant looking fellow. He wore neatly fitting clothes and a silk hat, and rode horse whose good condition showed that he had seen much ot the manager. The newcomer dismounted with rather graceful swing, and, after throwing his bridle reins over a tall stump, approached the promi- nent citizens, bowed respectfully and said
 "Gentlemen, hope find you well. It is pleasure, l assure you, to meet, after riding all day through the woods, party of such refined and educated gentlemen. Let us all step in and take something"
 The mayors quid of tobacco struck the ground with a spat; and the county judge, taking it upon himself to speak for the crowd, remarked that he didn't know. of any "existin' objec- tions." "An', sir" he added, "you mout ride several days befo' you'd strike edycated CT crowd than this"
 "Or one that likes flicker better observed the mayor.
 "Yes," said the judge, Cor one that acts with mo- peartness when the sub- jeck is mentioned. We-hold on, now, Ab," addressing a fellow who began to show signs of impatience, "hold on till we git through with the perlaminaries. It's all well enough fur man to be reasonably brash, but it ain't right to put yo' foot on the neck uv perliteness. As 1 war goin on to obsarve, we make edycation am refinement strong p'ints in this here community. Now, gentlemen, we'll licker."
 When the drinks had been served the stranger said:
 "I shall not by my silence infiict your minds with harrassing coDject- ure as to my business in this neigh. borhood, but shall proceed at once tC disclose my aims; and hope that the honesty with which I speak may make good my shortcomings in other direc- tions. am graduate of one of oul leading colleges. Igraduated with the tinsel of honors, with the spang1es oi distinction. I was designed for jour- nalism, and, in that branch of study took a careful course. Our professor who, I do not think, has ever written anything for publication, was much pleased with me, and assured me that a position on great paper was wait ing for me. If the position has not grown too tired, it is still waiting. l knocked at so many journalistic doors that my knuckles became raw. My failure was absolutely complete. But what was to do? I knew not the tarred and hardened ropes of business, for my entire preparation had tended toward handling the silken cord of a great calling. About this time fell in with fellow whose business it was to follow circuses about the country. He was a success, and l became his convert. Gentlemen, I have here, as you perceive, three English walnut half- shells and an ordinary black-eyed pea arrange the shells this way (placing them on the bar), and pro- pose to bet ten dollars that there is not a man present who can point out the shell that covers the pea"
 "I wouldn't advise you to be brash, ? said the judge, "fur see it under one nv 'em."
 "If you have made any discoveries, all right" replied the graduate, sbut if you do not care to bet, trust that you will keep secret the result of your  shrewd observation"
 The judge became restless. "Ef